Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media (2024)

$649.00

Application is closed

Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media (2024)

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 15!

The Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media is a transformative leadership program that trains BIPOC journalists working in media to thrive professionally and personally.

September 9, 2024– September 13, 2024

Overview

  • Travel to Poynter in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida, for five days of intensive, transformational learning.
  • Find allies and collaborators in your cohort and in alumni group.
  • Process feedback from your boss, direct reports and peers with a Poynter coach.
  • Explore your personal communication style.
  • Chart your unique, winding career path based on how you define success.
  • Let us know on your application if you require financial assistance. Some tuition assistance is available.
  • Tuition is $649; attendees must also pay their own travel costs.
  • The 2024 program will take place Sept. 9-13.
  • The deadline to apply has been extended to July 15, 2024.

$649.00

Application is closed
SKU: DLEAD-24 Tags: , , ,

Learning Outcomes

The interactive, week-long academy will focus on critical skills journalists of color need on their paths to leadership in digital journalism and technology. Sessions will explore:

  • Developing effective management styles
  • Navigating newsroom and digital culture
  • Building collaborative teams
  • Managing across differences
  • Managing with strengths
  • Negotiation tactics
  • Ethical decision-making

$649.00

Application is closed

Overview

  • Travel to Poynter in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida, for five days of intensive, transformational learning.
  • Find allies and collaborators in your cohort and in alumni group.
  • Process feedback from your boss, direct reports and peers with a Poynter coach.
  • Explore your personal communication style.
  • Chart your unique, winding career path based on how you define success.
  • Let us know on your application if you require financial assistance. Some tuition assistance is available.
  • Tuition is $649; attendees must also pay their own travel costs.
  • The 2024 program will take place Sept. 9-13.
  • The deadline to apply has been extended to July 15, 2024.

Training five or more people?
Check out our custom training.

The Poynter Institute is looking for the next cohort of BIPOC journalists to participate in its eighth Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media in September 2024. Through this program, Poynter has coached nearly 200 journalists of color as they focus on becoming more effective managers, visionary leaders and change agents.

Part of that trademark experience comes from having honest conversations with fellow BIPOC journalists and leaders about the challenges they encounter in management roles. 

The program structure and curriculum also provide participants the connections, confidence and skills to address their challenges. Sessions are designed to respond to industry trends, participant needs and evolving management challenges. Underscoring everything is Poynter’s expertise in leadership and ethics training.

Poynter faculty Tony Elkins will co-lead the 2024 program with Kathy Lu, Poynter adjunct and founder of Audiencibility.com. Guest instructors, keynote speakers and coaches will be announced closer to the start of the program. See the 2023 line up here for an idea of what to expect.

Throughout the weeklong program, the cohort will have direct access to top media executives, receive practical advice on career planning, and gain a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully lead today’s digital news organizations.

“I am more confident in decisions I make because I now have a foundation of understanding for different scenarios I’m in. It’s a continuous journey, and I discover that with every new situation or opportunity that arises in my work, I am presented with options that weren’t possible for me to think about before attending the academy.” — Laura Albast, senior editor, digital content strategy, Institute for Palestine Studies, 2022 alum

“The leadership program really solidified my commitment to helping other journalists of color and living in my purpose. … I wanted to be at a place that valued the kind of journalism I was pushing for — and then I got a random text from Mitra Kalita that Capital B was looking for a national editor. Somehow things just aligned. A year later, I’m helping to build the kind of newsroom I wanted to be part of when I was younger.” — Dalila Johari-Paul, national editor, Capital B, 2022 alum

“I took the negotiation skills and applied them to a pitch for promotions on my team. My team got promotions within six months and I was elevated to vice president within 12 months.” — Stephanie Kuo, vice president of content, PRX, 2022 alum

Participants will walk away not only with strong leadership skills but also a support system for the future. All participants will get coaching, seek and analyze 360-degree feedback, and create a personal leadership strategy.


Monumental. Liberating. Life-changing: Read about graduates’ experiences in the 2022 program.


Questions?

Check out our FAQ. Or hear from our alumni: Suleman Din wrote about his experience in the cohort, “no code switching required”; Eva-Maria Ayala wrote about overcoming her imposter syndrome, and Ernest Owens wrote about how the academy powered his history-making promotion. If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org. 

Monday, Sept. 9: Getting to know each other

In our first day, we’ll get to know one another on a deeper level, explore an understanding of leadership styles, and hear about the personal career journeys of our faculty. A cocktail reception follows.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 10: Understanding your leadership style and talents

We dive into ViewPoynts, Poynter’s unique process to provide you a 360° view of your personal leadership style and tendencies. We’ll coach you through the findings, then explore even more with a CliftonStrengths assessment.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 11: It’s all about the conversations you have

Today is all about communication and conversations. We’ll discuss how leading with empathy leads to greater understanding; do some role-play activities and reflect on what we’ve learned; and hear from experts about having fair conversations with your employees. 

 

Thursday, Sept. 12: Next-level skills

On our second to last day, we’ll dive into taking your management and self-care skills to the next level with delegating, negotiations and burnout.

 

Friday, Sept. 13: Taking it back home

On our last day, it’ll be time to put a bow on everything and send you away with a personal development plan that you can implement back in your workplace.

Who should apply

All BIPOC journalists with leadership responsibilities or demonstrated leadership potential.

Poynter will select a small group of journalists for the program.

English-fluent BIPOC journalists working in news media organizations in the U.S., or with similar structures to U.S. news media organizations, are encouraged to apply.

We value diversity and seek to create a rich mix of personal and professional experience in each class. A positive group dynamic is essential to the success of this program.

Participants are selected after multiple rounds of review with an emphasis on ensuring diversity across race, ethnicity, geography, age, platform/medium, organization size, and expertise. We aim to create a cohort from diverse career backgrounds and organizations, including TV, radio, digital-only, start-ups and nonprofits.

Application process

This is one of Poynter’s most competitive programs. A recommendation letter speaking to future career prospects will help distinguish candidates.

The deadline to apply is July 15. Participants will be selected and notified later that month.

Cost and scholarships

Tuition is $649 and covers five days of teaching from prominent faculty, coaching and networking, and social activities. Participants receive a facilitated 360-degree review and will work with a certified trainer to review their personality inventory.

Participants (or their employers) are responsible for travel costs. Lunch is provided all five days. A limited number of partial tuition stipends will be available. Please indicate if you need financial assistance on your application.

Instructors

Co-lead faculty

  • Kathy Lu
    Adjunct
    Kathy Lu has spent more than two decades in journalism as a leader and manager. She is an alumna of several leadership courses, including through...
    Read More
  • Tony Elkins
    Faculty
    Tony Elkins, a citizen of the Comanche Nation, is a faculty member at Poynter. His portfolio includes Poynter's early and mid-career leadership workshops Essential Skills...
    Read More

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